The Phoenix Academy

Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food served for lunch was not what was listed on the posted menu listed as meatballs, wheat bun, pineapples. The children were served door dashed McDonald's chicken nuggets, pineapples, French fries and milk. The change in menu was not listed on the posted menu.

Violation corrected during visit

Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. The toilet in the only adult bathroom on site was not operational.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/7/2026

Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years. Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. The administrator and designated lead teacher for infants ITS-SIDS training expired February 2026.

Violation corrected during visit

All group leaders were not at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, and/or had not completed Basic School Age Care (BSAC) training. One group leader did not obtain the required eleven months after beginning employment.

Violation corrected during visit

At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. The administrator and designated infant caregiver's ITS-SIDS training expired February 2026. Both staff obtained ITS-SIDS training on April 24, 2026. There was one infant enrolled the second week of April, and no staff held a current ITS-SIDS certification.

Violation corrected during visit

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. The operator was due to renew her Health and Safety Training in 2025 and did not.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/28/2026

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. There was not a current posted lesson plan for each required group (toddlers, pre-K and school-age)

Violation corrected during visit

Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas. There was a posted allergy list in space #4. However, the posted allergy list was not current. One child listed with an allergy was no longer enrolled at the facility.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/17/2025

Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. One staff member was scheduled to be off and the operator ordered lunch from an outside vendor. The change was not listed on the posted menu.

Violation corrected during visit

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The ceiling in space #4 was monitored with the ceiling with water damage/leak, chipped paint and falling in the damaged area.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/28/2025

Equipment and furnishings not meeting the requirements outlined in child care .0601(b) and (c) were not removed or made inaccessible. There were three identified books in poor condition in space #4.

Violation corrected during visit

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Three wooden outdoor fence slats were separated and leaning towards the interior of the playground.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/19/2025

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last documented drill was listed as July 7, 2025.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/18/2025

The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information. The Ready to Go File was monitored not current with each enrolled child.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/20/2025

The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The center EPR plan was dated March 2024 and had not been updated or reviewed annually by the operator/administrator.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/11/2025

All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. A floorboard in space #3 was in poor repair.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/24/2025

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The walls, windowsill and baseboards were monitored dirty in space #3.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/5/2025

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Several outdoor wooden ramp slats were monitored disconnected with exposed hardware in the children's path of travel to the outdoor play environment.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/10/2025

First aid kit and/or fire extinguisher was not located in vehicle; kit and/or extinguisher was not mounted or secured if in passenger area. A fire extinguisher was monitored stored in a box in the back of the van. The extinguisher was not mounted or secured.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/6/2025

All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The right front passenger mirror was monitored cracked throughout.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/10/2025

For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not have a list of the children being transported. Children are transported weekly, and no transportation roster was developed/current.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/5/2025

Equipment and furnishings not meeting the requirements outlined in child care .0601(b) and (c) were not removed or made inaccessible. There were three to four pieces of equipment monitored with broken plastic pieces missing or broken off. A broken lattice was monitored separated from the ramp with exposed hardware. There were at least two to three separated or warped wooden fence slats.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/20/2025

The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests. There were two plastic containers on the playground with standing water in them.

Violation corrected during visit

Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A staff member came to answer the front door, and a child left the teacher and returned to the classroom with no adult present.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 2/17/2025

Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. Children's arrival and departure times were not documented consistently. Last Thursday, Friday and today (Monday) were not documented.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/16/2024

Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards. There were two loose carpets in space #4 potentially causing a tripping hazard for children and adults.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/16/2024

Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children. The adult restroom was monitored with stored chemicals and the key left in the doorknob. The key was removed, door locked and key hung on a hook outside of the kitchen.

Violation corrected during visit

All lead teachers did not have at least a NC Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent or were not enrolled within 6 months of hire, and/or did not complete the credential or it's equivalency within 2 years. A lead teacher was hired September 27, 2022, and did not obtain the credential or its equivalency within 2 years.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/23/2024

All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff person's FA expired 11/2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/23/2024

All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff person's CPR expired 11/2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/23/2024

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. Daily attendance was not documented for thus far in December.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/16/2024

Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). An existing staff member's DCDEE CBC expired October 29, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/5/2024

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. A new employee did not have the first two weeks of orientation documented.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2024

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid DCDEE CDC qualification letter was not on file for one existing staff whose CBC qualification expired October 29, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/2/2024

Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The posted menu was dated November 2023. The operator updated the menu upon her arrival to the center.

Violation corrected during visit

Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. One infant and two children two years of age were offered a tablet with children's programming in space #2. The program was on and placed at eye level of the children.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/24/2024

A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A space heater was monitored maintained in the infant room/space #2. The heater was removed from the space by the operator during the visit and placed next door. The kitchen door was monitored unlocked.

Violation corrected during visit

Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. A completed incident report was dated August 21, 2024, was not filed in the applicable child's file or logged onto the center's incident log.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2024

The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. There was a center ITS-SIDS policy posted in space #2. The safe sleep policy was not followed by the unqualified staff person. An infant was observed sleeping in an infant swing upon arrival to space #2. Once notified that the infant was required to be placed in an appropriate sleeping device, the staff member placed the infant on their back in their assigned crib, with a bib on and pacifier attached.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/24/2024

Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. A staff person was hired and permitted to begin working without a DCDEE staff medical report.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/25/2024

On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A staff person was permitted to begin working without negative TB results or screening.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/29/2024

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One existing staff member did not have a current annual HQ on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/23/2024

Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. One existing staff member did not have a current annual emergency contact information on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/4/2024

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An unqualified staff person was present and working in space #2 without a DCDEE qualification. The staff person was required to leave the premises during the visit.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/24/2024

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. One existing staff member was due to obtain fourteen (14) by September 27, 2024, and did not.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/4/2024

Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. An unqualified caregiver was present with four children; two children were infants, and 2 children were two years of age. The two-year-old children were regrouped with preschool children in space #4 until the operator arrived.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/4/2024

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A staff person was working on site without a DCDEE CBC qualifying letter.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/24/2024

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last documented safety drill was March 28, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/23/2024

The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information. The EPR/Ready to Go File was incomplete. There are thirty (30) children enrolled and only ten (10) children's emergency contact information was on file. An area map was not maintained in the file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2024

At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. A staff person was monitored working in the infant room/space #2 with two infants present without completing ITS-SIDS training. The staff person was removed from the classroom during the visit.

Violation corrected during visit

At least one staff member counted to comply with the rule did not complete the training in playground safety within six months of employment date. A staff person without playground safety training completed a monthly outdoor inspection and report.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/24/2024

Multi-use articles, including highchair feeding trays, were not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the center's kitchen after each use. There were two infant highchairs in space #2 with visible food debris. The highchair coverings were also monitored visibly dirty. A tray used to store the electric bottle warmer was observed with visible stains/dirt.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/1/2024

All openings to the outer air were not protected against the entrance of flying pest. A window air conditioner unit was monitored installed in space #2. There was visible dirt on the windowsills and on top of the unit.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/2/2024

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The walls, baseboards, cabinets and refrigerator/freezer in space #2 were monitored with chipped paint, or visible dirt.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/20/2024

The safe sleep policy did not contain the required information. The center used a sample safe sleep policy. The sample policy was not customized and identified what the center will do or not do to ensure an infant's sleep space and practices are safe. One safe sleep policy was posted in the space #2 instead of the acknowledgement being maintained in the child's file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/1/2024

All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. The transportation van used to transport children at the center was monitored with a cracked windshield.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/21/2024

All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff hired 3/12/24 has not obtained First Aid Certification.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/10/2024

All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff hired 3/12/24 has not obtained CPR certification.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/10/2024

At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. The staff I observed caring for the infant present today, has not completed ITS/SIDS training.

Violation corrected during visit

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. One staff completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Maltreatment last on 6/30/2018.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/10/2024

Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older. Upon the consultants arrival, one staff member was on the playground with nine children ranging in age of 1-3 years.

Violation corrected during visit

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Space 3 and 4 did not have a current activity plan posted, the plans posted were dated for last week. This is a repeat violation.

Violation corrected during visit

All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Lysol aerosol spray was observed on top of the kitchen refrigerator and the kitchen door was cracked open. This is a repeat violation.

Violation corrected during visit

Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon my arrival I observed two staff coming from the building next door, we walked into the center together. I observed the children coming in from outdoor play, one staff was with the nine children, ranging in age of 1-3 years of age.

Violation corrected during visit

Children were not adequately supervised at all times. Upon my arrival the teacher in Space 3 left her group of children to answer the center front door. Space 3 cannot be seen from the lobby of the center.

Violation corrected during visit

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A current activity plan was not posted in Space 3. The plan posted was from April 2024.

Violation corrected during visit

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. I observed peeling paint from the wall in the book center of Space 3.

Violation corrected during visit

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. One storage bin was observed cracked, it was observed holding block on the shelf in Space 3.

Violation corrected during visit

All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. The kitchen door was observed cracked open, a spray aerosol can of Lysol was observed stored on top of the refrigerator.

Violation corrected during visit

Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. While in Space 3 I observed a teacher chair that was torn and the foam padding was exposed. I also observed a large piece of foam on a shelf in the cubby area. Outside of Space 3 I observed plastic ziplock bags stored on a shelf accessible to children in care.

Violation corrected during visit

Balloons were accessible to children. While in Space 3 I observed two balloons on the floor of the cubby area, that gate separating the classroom from the cubby area was open.

Violation corrected during visit

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One staff's health questionnaire was completed on 5/2/23.

Violation corrected during visit

Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. One staff's emergency information was last completed on 5/2/23.

Violation corrected during visit

First aid kit and/or fire extinguisher was not located in vehicle; kit and/or extinguisher was not mounted or secured if in passenger area. Neither the first aid kit or fire extinguisher observed in the van were secured nor mounted.

Violation corrected during visit

Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Two staff have not completed all required topic areas of Health and Safety Training within their first year of employment.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/28/2024

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. One staff did not complete all the health and safety topic areas within five years of last completion.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/28/2024